Have you got a Money Plan?

Piggy BankMost people in life have some sort of plan… whether they want to start their own business, how many children they would like, the age they would like to retire or the foreign holiday home the would like to own. But the reality is that most people do not have a ‘Money Plan’, probably worse than that a lot of people do not have any idea how much money they need to be saving in order to achieve their goals and dreams, in fact I would go so far as to say that quite a few people only have a vague idea of their budget on a month to month basis.

Money is fraught with anxiety for many people, now more than ever in the aftermath of the credit crunch and it is the cause of many arguments and relationship issues in couples and families. So hopefully we can look at some of the issues and get us all thinking about small steps we can make to make this topic easier to manage.

In order to begin looking at your financial health it is helpful to understand your ‘Money Personality’, broadly speaking there are several categories that people normally fall into:

The eternal optimist: those that believe ‘something will turn up’. A contract will be won; a promotion with a big rise is just around a corner or perhaps a lottery win!

Those that bury their head in the sand: these people never open a bank statement, dread any phone calls from financial institutions, and possibly rely on the ‘bank of Mum & Dad’.

Life’s too short: these people are generally big spenders, you will often hear them saying ‘you can’t take it with you,’ the problem is a large proportion of big spenders are spending on credit…

The dodgy dealer: everyone knows someone who always has a deal on the go, ranging from constantly switching credit card deals to dodging the tax man.

The problem with all of the above is that sooner or later the spending and/or lack of saving catches up with you. We probably all recognise someone from the list and perhaps you are a mix of these categories?

As boring as it may sound in reality we should all be aiming for a more balanced approach to money and our personal finances. Firstly we need to understand what comes in and what goes out.

Then we need to plan for the short term – emergencies like the car needing a repair or the washing machine coming to the end of its life. The medium term – being made redundant or falling ill and the long term – that holiday home you’ve been dreaming of!

Wishing you good financial health!

Getting a Career you Love!

Career ChoiceSome people know from a very young age – what they want to do when they grow up! But for many of us life turns out as more of a succession of jobs, rather than a career and becomes about paying the bills rather than working in an area we love. However it is never too late, there are more opportunities now for budding inventors, entrepreneurs or for taking a hobby or craft into self employment. Many brands that we know and love on the high street started with very humble beginnings:

For example Innocent Smoothies was started by three men in 1998, when they bought £500 of fruit and sold ‘smoothies’ all weekend at a London music festival. They asked each person who purchased a drink to put their empty bottle in a ‘yes’ bin if they thought they should give up their day jobs and pursue the smoothie idea. At the end of the day the ‘yes’ bin was full and so they resigned the next day from their jobs and started the company ‘Innocent’, so named to capture the pure and fresh product. The range has now expanded; they have gone on to get investment from drinks giant ‘Coca-Cola and now sell millions of smoothies a week.

Perhaps one of the most famous British stories is that of Sahar Hashemi and her brother who founded Coffee Republic – the UK’s first US style coffee bar chain. They already had good jobs, but risked everything on a dream of changing a nation of tea drinkers into caffeine addicts. They sold the business in 2001 but Sahar has become an inspiration to would-be entrepreneurs around the world, firm in her belief that anyone can do what they did. In fact she wrote a book titled ‘Anyone Can Do It – Building Coffee Republic from our Kitchen Table.

In the early eighties Romy Fraser was interested in alternative medicine and so she started to produce organically sourced beauty products and natural remedies – Neals Yard Remedies was born. She was way ahead of her time – before all things eco became fashionable, but the brand was built on a solid foundation of no animal testing, 100% recyclable bottles (pretty blue glass) and all of the ingredients are UK sourced. They were front runners in their field and became the first UK company to be awarded a Carbon Neutral brand mark. The first shop was opened in London in Covent Garden and there are now multiple stores in the US, Japan and the UK.

Whilst the world seems a scary place at the moment with world economies still drowning with worries, these stories show that good ideas can take off whatever the climate. And many economists believe that difficult economic times can provide the best launch pad for some start-up businesses.

So if you have a hobby that really is your passion, maybe now is the time to take the leap…Or you have had an epiphany moment regarding a product that could make the world a better place, now could be the time to spring into action!

Maybe we will see you on Dragons Den…

Hay Fever Season Is Upon Us

shutterstock_53637229For many people the arrival of sun is a chance to kick back, relax, put on the shorts and get out into the great outdoors. But for many it is the season of streaming noses and itchy eyes as hay fever season arrives. In fact as an allergy it is on the increase; it is thought that 1 in 4 people in the UK suffer compared with 1 in 8 in the 1980’s.

Despite the name hay fever, hay is not the route cause of the problem – pollen from Birch Trees and other tree varieties such as hazel, oak, horse chestnut, sycamore, yew and willow to name are few cause symptoms during March & April. More common is summer hay fever created by grass pollen that peaks in June & July. Weed allergies can also happen in July and spores from moulds are around during August & September.

Pollen counts are usually high on dry, warm sunny days. Pollen is released in the morning and as the air heats up it is carried into the atmosphere. So pollen counts are highest in mid morning and late afternoon. Weather reports usually give pollen counts at this time of year – 50 grains per cubic meter will usually cause symptoms.

In order to find a remedy for your hay fever it helps to work out what type you have – tree / grass or if unlucky both! Some simple solutions are available albeit not always practical:

If the pollen count is unusually high – stay indoors, with the windows and doors closed.

Pollen filters in cars can help – get them changed regularly at service intervals and if your symptoms are really bad consider having them installed at home.

When you venture out, wear sunglasses that wrap around – so as to prevent pollen getting in your eyes. A simple solution for your nose is to line your nostrils with Vaseline or similar which helps to trap the pollen before you inhale it.

Showering when you get back to wash away pollen from your hair and body can help as well as washing clothes and bed linen.

If all of these measures do nothing to prevent / help your symptoms then it may be time for a trip to your GP or pharmacist. Many medicines that were prescription only medicines a few years back are now widely available in pharmacies. These come into several categories – antihistamines; generally taken as a table once per day, eye drops and nasal sprays. Many of these medicines need to be taken in advance of symptoms; their effectiveness is increased if allowed to build up.

If however you would prefer to approach a nature problem with a natural remedy then you could try the following:

Spirulina – A super food that may help to reduce the severity of runny noses and itchy eyes associated with hay fever.

Probiotics – Eating probiotic yoghurts may boost immunity and reduce the severity of pollen allergies.

Quercetin – An antioxidant found in apples and red onions may prevent immune cells releasing histamine that causes allergic reactions in the body.

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga, JStone / Shutterstock.comFor a while people believed that Lady Gaga was a Pisces, this is because her birth date was widely misreported on the internet as March 20th. In fact she was born in Manhattan New York on March 28th 1986, making her an Aries. Her birth name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, as you might imagine from her given name she has 75% Italian ancestry. But of course now she is globally known as Lady Gaga.

In 2006 Gaga was signed to Def Jam Records, but the partnership only lasted a few months, when she was dropped by the label. It is at this point that she became much more experimental in terms of her act, how she dressed and where she performed.

Showing typical Aries traits she kept pushing through, she believed she would make it big, it was just a matter of how and when. In 2007 she was signed to Streamline Records (a division of Interscope Records). During this time she got a deal with Sony/ATV to write songs for other artists, including: Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block…Another singer ‘Akon’ recognised her vocal talent and convinced Interscope to set up a joint deal making her a franchise player under label Kon Live.

Even though she secured this record deal, there were some who feared that she was too ‘underground’, dance-themed and racy for the mainstream music scene. But Gaga showed typical Aries independence and confidence and told them “My name is Lady Gaga, I’ve been on the music scene for years, and I’m telling you, this is what’s next.”

So in 2008 her first album ‘The Fame’ was released, but to a rather luke-warm reception. Gaga took the initiative and with fearless attitude promoted the album in Europe and through gay clubs in the States. But it was the single ‘Just Dance’ that got everyone’s attention and Gaga just exploded onto the stage!

Other hits came from the album: Paparazzi, LoveGame and Poker Face, in 2009 she released another album that charted the darker side of fame called The Fame Monster; this produced her most acclaimed single ‘Bad Romance’. While the press put her under increased scrutiny at this time, her fans loved her ever more outlandish outfits and activities. Her tour ‘Monster Ball’ ran for over a year and a half and grossed $227.4 million!

Due to her persona many people have not really heard about her personal life. But this spell was broken in February when she announced her engagement to Chicago Fire star ‘Taylor Kinney’. He proposed with a Lorraine Schwartz diamond ring in a heart design. It is rumoured that the wedding will take place at her Malibu home and will be a big family celebration with all relatives playing a part including her sister who is thought to be the Maid of Honour.

Photo Credit: JStone / Shutterstock.com

Fear – A Psychic Readers Perspective

Abstract FearHaving seen a ghost at the age of eight, I can tell you that fear can be very real, but I can see now why the evidence I saw should not have made me afraid but in fact excited. I often wish I could see it again, but sadly too late, it has never appeared again.

In our daily lives we are often afraid, the butterflies in our stomachs show us we are worried of what’s ahead, and so often when we ignore the fluttering we move on to experience joy and pride in what was at first fear.

A typical example is our first date, a performance on stage, that first day at school, (even Mums are afraid on that day), driving test, wedding day and of course the death of a loved one or even ourselves.

Fear of the unknown, and when it comes to life after ‘life’ many of us fear ‘death’ simply because we do not know what is beyond, mediums will try to bring proof of afterlife, with messages from loved ones, using their abilities to see your current situations with a view to giving guidance.

Each of us has a soul, and when we are afraid our souls are awakened, a new lesson is about to begin, the flutterings appear, short and sweet, or long and traumatic, it always ends one way or another, no lesson is forever.

Facing your fears, means understanding there are lessons in life that can be overcome with the right guidance, our own souls know the answer if we listen. How often has your inner intuition told you the right thing to do?

When you come to understand that no lesson is forever your fear will reduce. You will be able to experience the happening on a different level, knowing that it will end.

Even life on earth ends, but of course that is the whole point because life on earth is one big lesson, and when we have learned what we came to experience we shall go home, living on with a much greater knowledge, without fear but with understanding.

An acronym for fear is Face Everything And Rebound, some lessons are hard, some exciting, some heart-breaking but if we Face everything and rebound we will be living life as we were meant to, learning as we go along our pathway of life.

If you need to face your fears, why not turn to a Psychic Sight Reader to guide you through the process?

Happy Couples

Love LogoEveryone knows a happy couple; there the couple that make being in a relationship look easy. From the outside looking in, it doesn’t seem to be an effort for them – they genuinely revel in each other’s company, they champion each other and they are their own support network. But don’t let looks deceive you, the chances are it didn’t come easy – they just put the work in!

So just what makes a happy couple…

• It might sound obvious, but happy couples share values. As the saying goes ‘opposites attract’ and that can make for a happy union if your personalities complement each other and you share common interests and have similar values. Having loads of differences about marriage, work, money, children etc. will rarely work in the long-term. You want to know that you are striving for the same end goals and that you are at similar life stages if not ages.

• Communication – it’s like a ‘dirty’ word, let’s be honest – some of us are better at communicating than others. We are all guilty of blaming our partner for ‘not talking’ when sometimes we are sending mixed messages, “I’m fine”, rarely means we are actually fine! But in reality if you don’t communicate well during good times, things are only going to get tougher when life throws you a curve…Happy couples keep talking and don’t let things get to a point of anger and resentment.

• Happy couples don’t take each other for granted. It is so easy to talk about, but not so easy to carry out. Once the excitement of new relationships has calmed and the humdrum of life has taken over, it is all too easy to take your relationship for granted. It’s important to take time for each other, don’t assume just because you have been together for a long time that you know everything about them. People grow over time and their hopes, dreams and desires move with them. Keep checking that you are moving together in new directions not apart.

• Couples that live in harmony are well aware of each other’s faults – but love each other in spite of them. It is nice when one of them stretches outside of their comfort zone, but on a day to day basis they will be accepting of each other’s differences. Above all they will not try to change their partner’s ways.

• Lastly, do not underestimate affection. Happy couples tend to be tactile – they make good eye contact, they kiss, they hug, they hold hands…All of this brings closeness, and a general life happiness that is hard to achieve in any other way.

Kate Moss and her Capricorn Star Sign

Kate MossKate Moss is a Capricorn and certainly has shown those ambitious traits through and through. She rose to stardom in the early 1990’s having been discovered when she was just fourteen years old by the founder of Storm Model Management and has had a fruitful career ever since.

Despite Capricorns being wired for triumph and achievement, Kate makes for an unlikely model given her stature and height. None the less she has had phenomenal success in a very unforgiving industry.

The traits of Capricorn can be moody and melancholy and trusting is hard for them. This is perhaps borne out in her early relationships with Johnny Depp (remember the damaged hotel rooms?) and sometimes destructive love affair with Pete Doherty…Kate also got tangled up with drugs in 2005 and has always been known as a ‘party girl’, but maybe Capricorn’s ability to be calm when mistakes occur and their ability to stay ambitious and work through things alone carried her out of troubled times.

Kate had a daughter (Lila Grace Moss Hack) from a relationship with Jefferson Hack. She is now married to Jamie Hince (guitarist for The Kills) – possibly showing she still has a penchant for rebels!

Even though Kate was born with the Sun in conservative Capricorn, she has not followed the typical path of playing it safe with well thought out plans. Instead she has used her self-discipline and ambition and made up her own rules. She has always been a trend-setter, from her early career sparking a style on the catwalk for ‘heroin chic’; she has been known for her ‘waifish’ figure and was part of the size zero clubs.

Reportedly she is loved by clients for being on time, being amiable and easy to work with, unlike many other super models she grew up around. She is just at home with Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana as she is with Rimmel.

Kate has shown she likes to play with danger, and sometimes she can be pulled down by emotions or circumstances. Perhaps as she has matured with age, and having a husband and daughter together with her continued professional accomplishment; a degree of equilibrium has been achieved in her life, allowing her to enjoy true all-round success.

*Kate Moss Photo Credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com

Nature’s way of Boosting our Immune Function

Forest Berries There has never been a more important time to boost our immune systems than at present. Each time we watch TV, or read a newspaper, we are told about a possible pandemic, superbug, or the latest virus etc.

When our immune system is functioning efficiently, it protects us from invading bacteria & viruses, so if we do fall prey to illnesses, our bodies will be equipped to fight it off quicker.

Here’s how to boost your immune system naturally and safely:

Mind

1. Make time for you, still the mind – learn meditation.
2. Get enough sleep.
3. Get out in to the fresh air and sunlight whenever possible.
4. Breathe deeply every twenty minutes.

Body

1. Vitamin E, Echinacea, Siberian Ginseng all support immune function – discuss taking a supplement with your Doctor.
2. Avoid saturated fats, sugar, excess alcohol, caffeine, preservatives, smoked meats and cheeses all of which contribute to damaging our cells.
3. Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables (blueberries, blackberries, bilberries and broccoli – all contain huge amounts of nutrients) as well as whole grains.

Spirit

1. Treat yourself to an Indian Head Massage or other type of massage or try a reflexology treatment.
2. Try a Reiki session.
3. Visit places of peace or sacred sights such as Glastonbury Tor or Stonehenge – feel yourself recharge, and reconnect with the earths energies.

Archangel’s

Gabriel PSGabriel

Archangel Gabriel is one of the two highest ranking angels. He is best known for coming to Mary and informing her that she would be giving birth to Jesus. It is also believed that he helped Joan of Arc with her campaign. In Judaism it is said that Gabriel parted the Red Sea so that the Hebrews could escape and in Islam it is told that Gabriel dictated the Koran to Mohammed. The meaning of Gabriel is ‘God is my strength’.

Gabriel is the Archangel of guidance and can help in all aspects relating to this. For instance, he can help you to find your true calling or life purpose, or give help on such issues as a new career, relationship or family. He can also help with purification; such as if you have negative thoughts, are in a negative environment or have been abused.

As with all angels, if you want his help you just need to call him by name and ask him for what you want. Crystals connected with Archangel Gabriel are Tanzanite, Iolite, Lapis Lazuli and Blue Calcite, he is also connected with the lily and with the colours white and indigo. His day is celebrated on 29th September.

Michael

Michael is probably the best known of all the Archangels. He is often shown carrying a sword. In the bible he rescued Daniel from the lions and he is also referred to in the Islamic and Jewish religions, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and many other beliefs.

Michael is the Archangel of protection, courage and strength, and, truth and integrity and can be called upon to help you in these circumstances. As with all angels, he cannot help until asked to, either by the person involved or a person who cares about them. All that is necessary is to ask for his help and then he can step in and give aid.

Many people have reported miracles when they ask Archangel Michael for help. He can protect us physically, emotionally and psychically in any situation where we don’t feel safe. Similarly in those situations where you need more courage to face the circumstances you find yourself in, such as ill health or mental strain, or where truth and honesty is involved, such as when you find it hard to tell the truth or accept the truth, he can easily be called upon to help.

A Christmas Message, by Rachel (PIN: 5544)

Nativity 2013 A6Christmas is meant to be a happy holiday for us – a time to tap in to our divinity, a time to reflect on God, who gave us his son, to be born only to die. Yet Christmas now means something different for each and every one of us.

Many children simply recognise Christmas as that great time of year that they receive a sack full of gifts. And in all probability the nearest they get to the essence of what the real meaning is all about is if they perform in the school nativity.

For many parents, Christmas can cause financial stress and worry. It can be a time of trepidation – having to entertain and cook for family they haven’t seen since last Christmas! For mums especially the sheer volume of extra work can take its toll. The holiday can also have a bit of an anti-climactic feel, once presents have been opened, and that moment of anticipation and surprise have gone for another year…

And of course there are many who because of bereavement or break up’s will find themselves facing a lonely Christmas, where they feel no one really cares about them.

Yet if just for that one day, we can allow ourselves to put our emotions aside and simply focus on the symbolic message of Christmas – we will find comfort.

I turn to Archangel Gabriel – Gods messenger who visited Joseph in his dream, and told him: ‘Mary will give birth to a son, the Messiah our Saviour’. If at Christmas you are feeling loneliness or despair, if you are struggling with doubts or fears – then give Angel Gabriel permission to enter your dream-state, he will give you guidance and reassurance to assist you on your life’s journey. Reach out and ask for support – you do not have to tread this path alone.

I also turn to the stars – The Star that shone its radiant white light that led the way to the stable, so the three wise men could deliver their gifts to Jesus. The Star therefore is a heavenly gift to us, it’s a sign of promise, and God promised and delivered a Saviour. Wish upon a star tonight, for it symbolises hope always. Let this light enter you, to encourage you not to give up, but to look up and believe…

Isn’t it reassuring to know, we all share the same heavens, no matter where we are in the world, no matter who we are?

At this Yule Tide, I wish you all Health, Happiness and Love.

Rachel

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